The Oregon GOP is moving to the moral center while the national GOP in moving warp speed further and further to the right.  The Oregonian reports:

Oregon Republicans have stripped anti-gay language from their 2012 party platform, a shift toward the political center in a state where the GOP has struggled mightily in recent years. 

Wording that essentially condemned same-sex marriage and civil unions, and that stated such couples were unfit to be parents, was removed from the official party platform during a weekend convention in Bend. 

"We want the public to take another look at the Republican Party and our policies," said Greg Leo, spokesman for the state party. "It's fair to say we're more centrist." 

The once-dominant party has faded in Oregon. Democrats hold every statewide office and no Republican has been elected governor since 1987. The one bright spot is the Oregon House, where Republicans managed a 30-30 split with Democrats last election. 

Leo said the next election is going to be all about jobs and the economy, and the party does not want social issues to become a distraction.

Oregon GOP leaders should be applauded.